Standing in front of thousands of enthusiastic supporters crowded into a square in the town of Székesfehérvár, where he went to high school, Orbán on Friday drove home his campaign message that nefarious forces want to meddle in Hungarian politics and harm the national interest.

“The situation is that they want to take away our country,” he said, alleging that opposition parties are serving foreign powers and that there is “censorship” in place — an apparent reference to Facebook temporarily removing a campaign video from his Fidesz party.

“Europe’s leaders together with a billionaire speculator don’t want to defend the borders, but want to bring in the migrants, that’s the truth,” he said, in a clear allusion to his nemesis, liberal American-Hungarian financier George Soros.

The election is being closely watched across Europe and beyond as Orbán has emerged as a leading voice on the Continent challenging liberal values, resisting closer European integration and deploying anti-migrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies. Critics at home and abroad accuse him of deeply damaging Hungarian democracy, press and academic freedom, and the rule of law.

Fidesz is leading in the opinion polls, with some pollsters even predicting the party could win two-thirds of the seats in parliament, which would allow it to change the constitution. But much will depend on turnout and the willingness of opposition voters to rally around the candidate most likely to defeat Fidesz in their district.

'We won a lot of battles'

At the rally, Orbán mounted a staunch defense of his record, as he aims for a third consecutive term in office.

“We won a lot of battles over the past years,” he declared, citing his efforts to send home the International Monetary Fund, tax banks and multinationals, cut unemployment and stop what he referred to as the “first wave” of migration.

He also referred to Hungary’s fight against Ottoman Turks centuries ago, saying said the country’s historic achievements must be preserved so Hungarians don’t lose their place in the world.

For the crowd who came to see Orbán, his message struck an emotional cord.

“It really touched my heart, I can’t even describe the feeling,” said Tibor Bogyó, a 68-year old retired engineer. “The West will eventually thank us for saving Europe.”

But while he enjoys a devoted following among core supporters and benefits from a divided opposition, Orbán has faced an unexpectedly tough re-election campaign.

A series of leaked documents regarding alleged high-level government corruption began appearing in media owned by his former ally Lajos Simicska, who went to high school with the prime minister in Székesfehérvár and helped build up the Fidesz party.

Accusations of corrupt practices within Orbán’s own family have also emerged, with the EU’s anti-fraud agency OLAF investigating a company formerly owned by the prime minister’s son-in-law.

The loss of a mayoral by-election to an independent conservative candidate in a town that was previously a Fidesz stronghold rattled the ruling party in the weeks leading up the election.

Critics have accused Orbán’s government of using tactics unprecedented in Hungary’s democratic history to discredit its opponents after a private intelligence firm apparently made secret recordings of NGO leaders that were leaked to the media. The government has denied any involvement in the recordings.

In Székesfehérvár, local officials prefaced Orbán’s speech by listing the investments and subsidies the town has received since he came to power.

But not everyone was convinced.

A group of teenagers sitting across the street from the rally venue said that, although not all of them are old enough to vote, they support the liberal opposition.

“We will listen to the speech from here,” one said. “Over there are the old people,” he said, pointing to Orbán’s supporters.

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W. E. Coyote

Coffee, Mrs. Bayer, drink a lot of coffee. Realize that you cannot sleep, there are still 36 hours left, and you still have to publish at least three or four of your articles before Sunday.

PS: If I were you, I wouldn’t rely on those young people sitting across the street, not old enough to vote, who support the liberal opposition: those teenagers will grow, will mature their consciences and their perspectives and they, too, will become Orban voters.

Posted on 4/6/18 | 11:16 PM CET

peter lintner

Funny how globalists keep trying to put young against old, hinting that future belongs to them because young are liberal. Well, guess what happens when these young mature. As more experienced and less naive, they will change their mind and stop being liberal. Nothing new under Sun. This is hapening for ages.

Posted on 4/6/18 | 11:35 PM CET

peter lintner

To add to my post above. You want an example of young liberal becoming conservative as he matures? Well, the subject of your article: Victor Orban. Just a simple psychology. That´s not something globalists excel in, right? So just go on waiting till young liberals mature and carry on your agenda. Good luck, going to be a long wait….

Posted on 4/6/18 | 11:49 PM CET

Geza K

All articles by Bayer increase Orbán’s camp.
Go Hungary.
:-))

Posted on 4/7/18 | 8:14 AM CET

Patrick Kapfer

“..citing his efforts to send home the International Monetary Fund, tax banks and multinationals, cut unemployment” sounds pretty good!

Posted on 4/7/18 | 8:42 AM CET

f c

Haira magyarok !!!

All the best to Hungarians !

Posted on 4/7/18 | 3:39 PM CET

Geza K

These young liberals – MOMENTUM – support the extreme left – DK -and the extreme right – JOBBIK – candidates.
Red-brown coalition.
No comment.

Posted on 4/7/18 | 3:47 PM CET

f c

Posted on 4/7/18 | 3:49 PM CET

glasspix 1

Shame on you Prolitico, you have just become the Brussels version of Russia Today.

Posted on 4/7/18 | 4:28 PM CET

f c

So Orban does not want Hungarians to be slaughtered on the streets by fanatics ?!?
What is so strange about it Lily ?!?

Today’s news from Germany under leadership of “leader of the free world”;
“Car drives into crowd in German city of Münster causing deaths and injuries”

Posted on 4/7/18 | 5:36 PM CET

Viliam Sinka

I would like to see in Politico not only the opinion of Lili Bayer about Hungary just to have more equilibrated information as in FREE MEDIA should be normal. In Hungarian media I can see both his demonization and glorification. Is Politico free in publish different opinions on a certain topic?